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Q? Entertainment connecting lovers with Q?'pid's Finger Puzzle

Is your relationship going through a rough patch, fueled by soul-crushing trust issues and mutual acrimony? Has your love begun to languish, leading you to wonder whether your significant other is really all that significant? Are you looking for stopgap measures to keep the fires of love burning? Don't shell out cash for counseling -- there's an app for that.

Rather, there will be soon -- Lumines developer Q? Entertainment recently revealed a bizarre iPhone project titled Q?'pid's Finger Puzzle, which tasks a couple with tracing lines to clear up fuzzy "titillating images." Following a level, the couple is given a compatibility report which offers relationship advice such as "look into your partner's heart and drink in their vapors." Yeesh. Thanks for the helpful tip, Buffalo Bill.

Lumines coming to iPhone, console versions getting price cut


According to a recent dispatch from Q Entertainment producer (and former EGM editor-in-chief) James Mielke, a huge marketing push for Lumines is set to kick off in September. As part of this bold movement, both Lumines Live and Lumines Supernova are set to have their prices cut in the near future -- but arguably more exciting is the news that the trance-inducing puzzler will be making its way to the iPhone sometime in September or early October.

Though an exact release date and price have yet to be announced, Mielke did confirm that the game would hit the App Store with brand new skins and music. Awesome -- nothing makes early morning commutes go by faster than a good case of rhythmic synesthesia.

Mizuguchi, Suda 51 weigh in on E3's new motion controllers


In this week's Famitsu, three major Japanese developers discussed this year's E3 and how they feel about the various motion technology displayed. Grasshopper Manufacture's Suda 51, Q Entertainment's Tetsuya Mizuguchi and Level-5's Akihiro Hino all somewhat agree on what they see as the future of gaming. "Hardware-wise, it was all about Project Natal," Mr. Suda said, as translated by 1UP, noting his excitement on the possibility of creating a game specifically based around its technology.

"It's not a shift from 2D to 3D or in the number of polygons, but it's games trying to open up an entirely new door," Mizuguchi agreed, continuing, "I thought it would take longer, but it's happening faster than I expected." Ironically, when the trio chose the most exciting games at E3, the list quickly filled with Western-developed games, from Splinter Cell: Conviction and Assassin's Creed 2 to The Beatles: Rock Band. Could they resist the ubiquitous Final Fantasy name drop? No, no they could not. "The visual quality was so impressive that I doubted it was even a game," Hino said of AC2, adding, "Final Fantasy XIII is the same way." Impressed/interested by the motion technology but still loving AAA-franchise sequels? Sounds like the whole game industry right now.

Gallery: Project Natal

Ubisoft kind of announces something with Tetsuya Mizuguchi

In one of the weirdest moments of a very ... strange Ubisoft conference, the company announced that it was working on a project with Rez creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi. No word on what that project is or when it's coming out, just that there is one, called "Codename Eden" for now.

And instead of bringing Mizuguchi up on stage and having him talk about his project, they just pointed him out in the audience. It was weird. Of course, this came right after the company's massive No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle presentation, which consisted entirely of the game logo and a few words about Suda 51.

Q Entertainment files trademark for 'Guardian Hearts'


Japanese developer Q Entertainment has mostly stayed out of the limelight since releasing Lumines Supernova for the PSN last year, though a recent trademark filing may hint at the developer's plans for the future. The relatively young company just filed its sixth trademark ever, reserving the title Guardian Hearts for future use in a video game.

We usually remind our readers that not every trademark a developer files ends up turning into a game, but in Q Entertainment's case, they actually do. We've contacted Q to find out whether this might be the moniker of a forthcoming project, and whether the actual game will be as RPG-ish as the aforementioned appellation.

Meteos Wars 'Galaxy Pack' DLC falls from the sky


Q Entertainment sends word that fresh Meteos Wars DLC is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace. Entitled the Galaxy Pack, the new DLC contains nine new planets for the game, including two planets that are entirely new to the Meteos series. Should you deem such content worthy, it will run you 350.

Joystiq Review: Peggle Dual Shot

PopCap's Peggle has earned a reputation as The Casual Game It's Okay For Game Journalists To Enjoy. It's almost the perfect casual game, or even the perfect arcade game -- its mechanics can be explained in seconds, and it is possible to have a satisfying play session only a few minutes long, though repeat play is necessary to train in the skills required to succeed in the higher levels and excel in the main game.

Really, the only thing that could make Peggle any better is if you could play it anywhere, during any spare time you find. Peggle Dual Shot on the DS, then, needed only to be a competent port of the original to be worth pretty much everyone's time. I'm happy to report that Peggle DS is Peggle, on the DS.

Continued →

Define 'classic': Lumines Supernova Classic Pack missing old faves


What defines a classic? In the case of yesterday's Classic Pack release for Lumines Supernova, it seems that truly classic skins from the original PSP game, such as "Shake Ya Body," "Lights" and (perhaps saddest of all) "Shinin'" have been omitted. In fact, it contains no songs by Japanese artist Mondo Grosso, who contributed to Lumines and Lumines II.

We've contacted Q Entertainment regarding the omissions, in an attempt to get to the bottom of why these songs, in particular, were left out.

Lumines Supernova 'Classic' pack coming to PSN Feb. 12

Lumines Supernova may have only just released in Europe last week, but those who've had it for a while -- we're looking at you, North America and Asia -- will be receiving some new downloadable content for the PSN game this Thursday. The"Classic Skins Pack" will offer 20 skins from the original PSP version of Lumines at a price of $4.99. We've asked Q Entertainment for a list of the skins, if only to confirm the presence of "Shinin'" and yell at / praise the company accordingly.

With the release of this DLC pack, the regular LittleBigPlanet update, rhythm game add-ons and ThatGameCompany's zen-em-up, Flower, the 12th is looking to be quite expensive. Judging by Sony's "Spring Fever" lineup, these bulky updates will continue in the upcoming weeks.

Peggle DS is the ultimate version, says PopCap

Everyone is joining the "ultimate edition" bandwagon. We've heard the term recently used by EA, and now we're hearing it from PopCap's vice president of video game platforms, Greg Canessa. In an interview with Pocket Gamer, Canessa calls Peggle: Dual Shot for the Nintendo DS the "ultimate adaptation of Peggle," and boasts that the DS version has the most content/levels out of any other edition. Apparently, it's "truly tailored to and optimized for the device and the audience."

It's not surprising to hear companies push late multiplatform releases as being the "ultimate." After all, there needs to be an incentive for gamers to pick up something which they could've gotten elsewhere before. In the case of portable Peggle, it's already available on iPods and mobile phones. Those still looking to score the ultimate hit, however, can look forward to March 3.

Lumines Supernova hitting Euro PSN on Feb. 5

Block-dropping synaesthesia news now, with Q Entertainment confirming the European PSN debut of Lumines Supernova. Launching this Thursday, February 5th, Supernova enhances the puzzle game's blend of beats 'n' bricks with new modes (including "Dig Down"), 40 psychedelic skins, a make-your-own-medley Sequencer and, of course, Trophies. Unfortunately, the 14.99 Euro asking price does not net you the US PlayStation Store's free, 20-skin "Holiday Pack."

We've queried Q about the add-on's European fate -- and why it's always 4AM when we stop stacking squares.

Meteos Wars 'Planet Pack' DLC drops on XBLM


If you've already blown through the myriad planets available in Q Entertainment's XBLA puzzler, Meteos Wars, good on you. It's good for you that the developer has released nine add-on levels today via the Live Marketplace, for the sum of 350 ($4.37).

Two of the planets are described as "entirely new to the series." "Wait," you say. "Aren't all of the stages new?" Nope -- not since the game was originally released on Nintendo DS, which is where these two "new" planets originated. And that concludes today's astronomy-economy lesson, class.

Visit more planets in Meteos Wars with new DLC


Unfortunately it slipped under our radar but yesterday brought brand new content for Meteos Wars on the XBLA. The Planet Pack DLC includes nine planets new to the Arcade version, two of which are new to the series all together, while the remaining seven appear to be from the Nintendo DS version of the game, Siliconera theorizes. If you're looking to add a little spice to your regular diet of Meteos Wars this DLC is available now for 350 ($4.36).

Lumines Supernova priced and dated

Q Entertainment is bringing us an early Christmas present -- they have just announced that Lumines Supernova will be released on Tuesday, December 23rd and priced at $14.99. The game will feature two brand new modes: Dig Down Mode, where you attempt to reach the bottom of a playfield already filled with blocks, and Sequencer Mode, which allows you to create your own music utilizing different sounds and loops. Another highlight, of course, is the LittleBigPlanet skin that will be included in the Challenge Mode. Finally, Trophies will be supported at launch -- check out the list right here.

[UPDATE] Sadly, Europeans will have a little longer to wait. They won't be getting the title until "early 2009."

[Via press release]


Lumines Supernova dropping on PSN Dec. 23


Rejoice, fellow and completely willing synesthesia sufferers! Q Entertainment has replaced its vague "Winter" release window for Lumines Supernova in favor of something more precise. The rhythmic block dropper will be available on the North American* PlayStation Network on Tuesday, December 23rd, just in time to drown out those obnoxious family members who only bother to drop by when there's a free Christmas dinner involved.

Ignoring them should be particularly easy given the bevy of distractions packed into Lumines Supernova's $15 package: 40 skins; a new "Dig Down" mode; a Sequencer mode for creating your own background music; Time Attack and Skin Edit modes; Puzzle and Mission levels; Trophies; and a local 2-player Battle mode for those sharing types who ignore the "mine" in Lumines.

And hey, don't forget the LittleBigPlanet skin, which will join a free "Holiday Pack" of 20 additional skins. The latter is available for a limited time only -- just like Christmas.

*Europe, you're getting it in "Early 2009." :(

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